Lost in translation … Jeremy Hunt called for hospitals to cut or axe fees for visitors but the figures have continued to rise since

The Sun first highlighted the issue in 2014 as part of our “Rip Off Britain” campaign.

Jeremy Hunt responded by issuing new guidance in August 2014 calling for hospitals to cut or axe fees for visitors to patients gravely ill or enduring extended stays. At the time he blasted: “Patients and families shouldn’t have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges.”

National emergency ... England is the only part of the UK where hospitals routinely charge for parking

She went on: “They are taking money from the sick and vulnerable to top up NHS coffers. This is not what car parking charges should be used for. The onus on meeting the NHS funding crisis should not be shouldered by the sick, injured and vulnerable.

“The Government must get to grips with this issue and tackle the broader funding crisis facing the NHS.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “Patients and families shouldn’t have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges – we have clear guidelines for NHS organisations that we expect to be followed, so hospitals should put concessions in place for those who most need help including disabled people, carers and staff who work shifts.”